The most powerful video you'll watch today.

A video of life and death

A an eighteen-year-old boy in the US who uploaded videos to YouTube about coming to terms with death has tragically died only days after he posted them. In the videos, Ben Breedlove uses a series of flash cards to talk about growing up with a heart condition and the many times he’s cheated death. He uploaded the videos on Decmeber 18 and passed away from a heart attack on December 25. There’s been an outpouring of emotion since Ben’s death, including from Ben’s favourite rapper Kid Cudi, who is mentioned in the videos. Kid posted a message on his blog saying: “I am so sad about Ben Breedlove. I watched the video he left for the world to see, and him seeing me in detail, in his vision really warmed my heart.”

Cadel and his wife to become parents

Tour de France winner Cadel Evans and his wife Chiara Passerini have travelled to Ethiopia and are hoping to a adopt a one-year-old boy. Chiara posted this picture to Twitter a few days ago with the caption: ‘We had the most special Christmas of our lives.’

She later said: “We came here to bring home our little 12-month-old boy after months of paperwork…We always felt the strong wish to adopt, so we decided to start our family through adoption.”

Media privacy laws for asylum seekers

Australia’s media and communications authority has dismissed suggestions its new privacy guidelines are aimed at stopping TV networks from showing images of asylum seekers arriving in Australia by boat. Under the guidelines announced by ACMA this week, asylum seekers’ identities would be protected in a move that – according to the Immigration Department – will “protect the privacy of these vulnerable clients.” But the opposition says the plans are politically motivated – not about concern for asylum seekers. The guidelines suggest it’s possible for a person’s privacy to be breached when they are in a public space, but does not single out asylum seekers.

Princess Charlene of Monaco will open Grace Kelly exhibition

Princess Charlene will travel to Australia in March to open the exhibition  Grace Kelly: Style Icon. Grace Kelly was the mother of Charlene’s husband Prince Albert. It’s unknown whether Prince Albert will also travel to Bendigo for the opening. The exhibition will feature gowns worn by the actress in High Society as well as the gown she wore when she accepted her Academy Award.

Princess Charlene, a former South African Olympic swimmer, married Prince Albert in July this year. Remember that wedding? It was hard to forget…

Good-behaviour deals to stop bad behaviour

Primary school students in Victoria are signing “behaviour agreements” in an attempt to stop verbal, physical and emotional abuse in the school yard. The contracts are a last resort before more serious action is taken. Lorraine Bell, who is the principal of Monmia Primary School, said the contracts had been successful in curbing bullying and always began with a discussion between staff and students. “The agreement may be ‘I agree not to hurt (the other child)’ or ‘I agree not to say mean things’,” she said. “I think because they are promising each other something it works pretty well, one child says I get hurt from this, and this is acknowledged,” she said.

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